We finally finished putting up the pictures from our backpacking trip. It doesn't look like we're going to get much more done before we come home, but we'll see.

Backpacking Pics

It has been a while since we have updated you on our adventures! All is well in China. It is hard to believe we only have six weeks left in Beijing. Time really has gone by fast. We thought we would write a quick entry to let you know about our recent camping trip to the Chinese countryside.

Our adventure began at sunrise when we took a local train west out of the city. Led by our fearless leader Adam we hiked in 90 degree weather for 4 hours through the hills on the outskirts of Beijing. Our goal was a small abandoned village that used to be a corn farm. The whole experience was amazing. We used a fresh water well that has probably been used for hundreds of years and cooked in an old village house. That night we slept under the brightest stars we have ever seen in Beijing. It was so quiet and peaceful. It was hard to believe that the city was only 50 miles away.

When we were getting ready to leave a goat herder came through. I think he was as surprised to see us as we were to see him. He sat and chatted with us about his life growing up in the village. With sadness he told us that he was one of the last people to actually live in the area tending to his goats. We gave him some treats and we bagan to asend the hill together. To our dismay a hike that took us 45 minutes only took the herder 15 minutes. We watched as he bounced down the hill at top speed.

You have to check out our pictures to believe what we saw.

 "Now to Taylor in the field,"    Hi everyone it's me Taylor! Now to our first story,. . . I'M ALIVE!!!!! Now for our second story today. . . China Rocks!!!!!!!!! Today was me and my mom's second day in Beijing, China. Yesterday we covered alot. First we went to the drum tower and looked over the bell tower. Then next we watched the Drum show that only happened every half hour. Then we went on a rickshaw tour. We visited all the Hutongs that were on the side of the alleys we went in. Then from the rickshaw stop, we went on a boat ride on Qianhai, and Hohai. Our plan was to take a "pedal boat". But instead, John thought we should take a electric boat. Luckily John was right. I got to drive the boat most of the time, and I loved it! It was kind of hard with the wind blowing me into the little island that I was boating around. Then we had the best pizza at Hutong pizza. After that me Iris and my mom watched Eragon. The Next day, today, we had a long day like yesterday. First we had the best pancakes that Iris made. Good thing it rained the other day because now today was a drop dead gorgeous day. But the bad part is that it was packed. We struggled trying to tour Tianammen Square. Then, we went to the Forbidden City next. It was so crowded! It took us so long to get through the whole City. We didn't even see a big part of it! We had lunch in the garden. Then we climed the Jingshan park/man made mountain. Then there was the gross part. Snack street. There was all kinds of gross starfishes, squids, privates, anything you can imagine! Then we went home to rest. After we met up with Jeff and Lynn, two friends of John and Iris. We ate dinner with the best lamb! After, we went to the Salon. I was so happy! The guy spent an hour and a half on my head!!!! Then he had to make every strand of hair perfect. But I love it!:) Now we are going to watch a slide show John made!! 

John and I took the Shinkansen (bullet train) and in two and a half hours we were in Kyoto. I love Kyoto for so many reasons. It's a more manageable city, it has beautiful temples and gardens and I have many old friends here from when I lived here in 2001. The other reason I love Kyoto is because we checked into a real hotel with hot water. What luxury.

For the past two days John and I have been seeing the sites and catching up with friends.  Some of our favorite places have been Kiyomizu-dera Temple, built in 798 and reconstructed in 1633. This temple is at the far eastern side of the city right next to Japanese forests. It is perched up high on hundreds of pillars. With the cherry blossoms blooming there is no where else like it in the world.

Sannen-zaka, one of the most beautiful walks in all of Kyoto, is another favorite place. The streets are lined with little wooden houses selling traditional items such as fans, kimonos, and sweets. Also, my families favorite...soy donuts! The shop was still there. John loved them too.

Today we traveled to many other temples and gardens. If you are interested please see our photo gallery. We won't bore you with details.

However, the highlight of our trip so far has been going back to my old Kyoto hometown, Kusukawa. We went back to visit Sumiko's family and siblings that are all grown up now. We had a Japanese dinner or Maki sushi that you roll yourself. It was wonderful. We all had time to catch up, look at photos, and of course play UNO! The game went on for two hours and no one won.  There will have to be a rematch in a few years.

Tomorrow I will be filming in a Kyoto preschool and then we are off to Nara for more temples and deer watching.

Last night we found out from a roommate that there was a festival happening outside of Tokyo. "It only happens once a year," he told us. John and I decided that we should go. We boarded an 8:30am train to go to the Fertility Festival. When we came out of the station nothing seemed odd, just a regular temple with some Shinto priests walking around. When we got closer we discovered why it was called the fertility festival. Ahem...anyway, it was very interesting. John took tons of photos, few of which are appropriate for this website. Please request them from him if you are interested.

After being lost for a few minutes in a train station we found our way to Asakusa famous for the Sensoji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo. It was stunning. We had a lunch of sushi and katsu-don (pork with rice) and walked around the local market. The sun was really hot so we found a spot in the shade and had an ice slush. After a quick peak at a baboon performing on stilts we decided it was time to go home and buy our train tickets for Kyoto.

An hour later John found the only place in our area that took travelers checks (even on a Sunday) so we could buy the ticket. Who knew the high speed train didn't take Visa cards from the US? Anyway, we are packing and getting ready for our next stop, Kyoto.

Big Temple Pics

John spent the whole morning and afternoon working while I went to visit another preschool. The school was amazing and I was warmly welcomed by the staff. I was so excited to learn that this preschool allows their students to climb trees. One teacher explained to me that "Americans don't trust children to know their limitations. Children know if they can do it or not. They will not go too high if they know they are not ready. In fifty years no one has ever fallen." It was very interesting.

When I got back from my preschool visit John and I went back to visit Ueno Park. This time the Sakura (cherry blossoms) were in full bloom. It was beautiful. We were not the only ones enjoying the blossoms. It felt like all of Tokyo had decided to come to the park. Hundreds of people snapped photos and many people lay under the trees eating and drinking. It was quite a sight. When the sun went down the trees were lit up with red lanterns. John and I bought a baked potato with butter all over it and ate it as we looked at the people and trees. We walked back toward the station, got a burger from McDonald's (you can only eat so much sushi) and then walked around some of the shops. We went back to the local toy store and John bought some Pez. All in all it was a great day.

Awesome Sakura Pics